Audio Visual Enhancement Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus of the present disclosure enhances the audio/visual experience of a portable digital device, and comprises a lens positioning slot, a lens storage compartment, a passive audio amplifier, a receiving station.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a receiving station for smart phonesand digital devices. In particular, the present disclosure relates to areceiving station that magnifies the video display screens, andpassively amplifies the integrated audio speaker of the digital device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Smart phones and portable digital devices have become increasinglypopular and compact over the past several years. Due to increased speed,memory, and functionality, such devices are replacing traditional laptopcomputers as the preferred portable computing device. Given this trend,an apparatus is needed to enhance the audio and visual components ofsuch devices, further increasing functionality and enjoyment.

SUMMARY

An apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurecomprises a receiving station for amplifying the audio output andmagnifying the video display of digital devices in both the portrait orlandscape orientations. No additional power is required to achieve themagnification or amplification. The apparatus of the present disclosureenhances the existing Audio/Visual (“A/V”) output of digital deviceswithout drawing any additional power from the device itself.

To amplify the sound, the apparatus includes a passive sound amplifyingmechanism comprising a tapered, tear-drop or concave shaped cup orrecess positioned to receive sound from the onboard speaker of thedigital device and project such sound upward and outward therebyamplifying and increasing its volume while directing sound toward thelistener's ears for audio enhancement.

The apparatus of the present disclosure includes a docking or receivingarea designed to securely receive and engage the digital device ineither the portrait or landscape orientations, and to further orient thedigital device's onboard speaker to the amplification mechanism via asound channel.

To magnify the video display, the apparatus of the present disclosureincludes a magnification mechanism comprising a lens and lens holder(slot) to hold the lens upright and parallel to the screen at the lens'correct focal length. In the preferred embodiment, the lens is a Fresnellens. The docking area of the apparatus is positioned to optimize bothviewing distance and viewing angle for either portrait or landscapeorientations.

When the magnifying mechanism is not in use, the lens may be removedfrom its holder and stored in a receiving cavity substantially parallelto the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most digit(s) of areference number identifies the drawing in which the reference numberfirst appears.

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an audio/visual enhancementapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewith a digital device docked in a portrait position therein.

FIG. 1B is a bottom prospective view of the audio/visual enhancementapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of the audio/visual enhancementdevice of FIG. 1 showing the receiving station and channel thereof withthe digital device in the landscape position.

FIG. 1D is an exploded front view of the audio/visual enhancement deviceof FIG. 1 showing the receiving station, with the digital device in theportrait position.

FIG. 2A is a right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatusof FIG. 1 with a digital device thereon in landscape position.

FIG. 2B is the right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatusof FIG. 1 showing an extended leg.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus ofFIG. 1 taken along the lines A-A.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the audio/visual enhancementapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewith a magnifying lens installed thereon, and with a digital device inportrait position.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatusof FIG. 8 taken along lines B-B.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus of FIG.7.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an audio/visual enhancement apparatusin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure with adigital device docked in a landscape position therein.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatusof FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus of FIG.12.

FIG. 15 is a left side view of the audio/visual enhancement apparatus ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of an audio/visual enhancement apparatus inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure with a digitaldevice docked in a portrait position therein and with a magnifying lensinstalled thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an audio/visual enhancementapparatus 101 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewith a digital device docked 102 in a portrait position therein. In oneembodiment, the apparatus 101 is formed from a base 120 generallyrectangular in shape and comprises a lens positioning slot 103, a lensstorage compartment 104, a passive audio amplifier 105, a receivingstation 106.

The lens positioning slot 103 is of appropriate size (length, L1, andthickness, W1) to securely position a magnifying device (not shown) suchas a lens, at the appropriate focal distance from the digital device 102in order to magnify the video display 108 of the device 102. In oneembodiment the magnifying device is a Fresnel lens. In one embodiment,the lens positioning slot 103 is located within the top surface of thebase 120. In alternative embodiments, the lens positioning slot may belocated within the front or side surface of the base. Furthermore, themagnifying device may be attached to the base using other means known inthe art, such as clips.

The lens storage compartment 104 is of appropriate size (length, L2, andthickness, W2) to receive the entire magnifying device for ease ofstorage and transport. In one embodiment, the lens storage compartment104 is positioned at the base 120 of the apparatus 101. The lens storagecompartment 104 further comprises a carve-out 110 which allows the userto easily retrieve the magnifying device from its stored position. FIG.1B provides another view of the carve-out 110. Also depicted in FIG. 1Bare feet 111 upon which the apparatus 101 rests. The feet 111 arecomposed of standard materials known in the art, and preferably resistslipping or sliding on a smooth surface (not shown).

The passive audio amplifier 105 of the apparatus 101 is embodied as atear-drop or substantially circular and spherically shaped recess on thetop surface 113 of the apparatus. The opening 114 to the passive audioamplifier 105 is positioned to correspond with the on-board speaker (notshown) of the digital device 102. Sound waves (not shown) from theon-board speaker (not shown) of the digital device 102 are amplifiedpassively without the assistance of a powered speaker or amplifier byvirtue of the physical properties of sound waves. The passive audioamplifier 105 reflects and directs sound waves towards each other, aswell as upward and away from the apparatus 101 and towards the user (notshown). The shape of the recess forming the passive audio amplifiercreates a reflective surface 121 causing the sound waves to traveltowards each other allowing the amplitudes of the sound waves to combineproducing a louder sound.

The receiving station 106 receives the digital device 102 and securesthe device 102 at an angle substantially parallel to the magnifyingdevice (not shown) secured by the lens position slot 103. The design ofthe receiving station 106 may be modified in other embodiments dependingon the type of digital device that is placed in the apparatus 101.Accordingly, the apparatus 101 can accommodate digital devices of manydifferent size and shapes, and can secure such devices in either thelandscape or portrait orientations.

FIG. 1C depicts the digital device 102 in the landscape position inrelation to the receiving station 106. The digital device 102 fitswithin a slot 254 of the receiving station 106. When the digital device102 is inserted in the receiving station 106, a speaker 252 on thedigital device 102 indirectly interfaces with a quarter-circle hood 253.In this regard, sound travels from the speaker 252 through the hood 254as referenced by line 250.

In addition, the receiving station 106 comprises a channel attachment251 for receiving the channel 255. When the channel 255 is inserted overthe channel implement 251, sound from the hood 253 travels through thechannel attachment 251 and through the channel 255. The opening 256 ofthe channel 255 interfaces with the opening 114 (FIG. 1A). Soundtraveling out of the opening 114 is transmitted by the reflectivesurface 121 of the passive audio amplifier 105. Note that a portion ofthe receiving station 106 forms a cavity 257. Such cavity 257 is forreceiving the digital device 102 in the portrait position.

With reference to FIG. 1D, the digital device 102 is in the portraitposition. The speaker (not shown) on the digital device 102 when thedigital device 102 is in the portrait position aligns with an opening258 in the receiving station 106. Such opening 258 directs sound fromthe speaker to through the opening 114 (FIG. 1A) to the reflectivesurface 121 (FIG. 1A) of the passive amplifier 105 (FIG. 1A).

FIG. 2A is a right side view of the apparatus 101. The digital device102 is retained in the apparatus 101 via the receiving station 106 at anangle θ₁ which corresponds with the angle of the lens (not shown). Theapparatus 101 further has a leg 200. While only one leg 200 is shown inFIG. 2A, the apparatus 101 further has a second leg (not shown) on anopposing side of the base 120. FIG. 2A depicts the leg 200 in aretracted position such that the base 120 sits level on a support (suchas a table).

FIG. 2B depicts the side view of the apparatus 101. However, in FIG. 2B,the leg 200 is extended from the base 120 at an angle θ₂. When the leg200 is extended, the base 120 is positioned at an angle θ₃ from thesupport (such as a table) on which the base 120 sits.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus 101 depicting the digital device102 in the portrait orientation secured within the apparatus 101. Notethat whether a user places the digital device 102 in landscape orportrait position may depend upon where the speaker (not shown) of thedigital device 102 is located. In this regard, the digital device may beplaced in portrait position, and the sound travels through the openings258. If the digital device 102 is placed in landscape position, thesound travels through the hood 253 (FIG. 1C) and the channel 255 (FIG.1C).

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the apparatus 101 taken along the linesA-A. This view demonstrates the reflective surface 121 forming thepassive audio amplifier 105 within the top surface 113 of the apparatus101. The speaker (not shown) of the digital device 102 is located at thebottom 401 of the device 102, thereby directing the sound waves into thepassive audio amplifier 105.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the apparatus 101, and FIG. 6 is a topview of the thereof, demonstrating the components discussed above.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the apparatus 101 with amagnifying lens 701 installed thereon. As shown in FIG. 8, the angle θ₄represents the angle of the lens 701 with respect to the top surface 113of the apparatus, and is substantially similar to the angle θ₁ shown inFIG. 2A.

FIG. 9 is a front side view of the apparatus 101, and FIG. 10 is a rightside view thereof, taken along lines B-B. Finally, FIG. 11 is a top viewof the apparatus 101.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus 101 with a digital device1201 docked in a landscape position therein. The apparatus 101 isgenerally rectangular in shape and comprises a lens positioning slot103, a lens storage compartment 104, a passive audio amplifier 105, anda receiving station 106 which secures the device 1201 to the apparatus101.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the apparatus 101, FIG. 14 is a top viewof the thereof, and FIG. 15 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the apparatus 101 with a digital device1601 docked in a portrait position therein and with a magnifying lens1602 installed thereon. The angles θ₅ and θ₆ should be substantiallysimilar in order to maintain the same distance L3 between the videodisplay (not shown) of the digital device 1601.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a base; a lens positioning slot, a lensstorage compartment, a passive audio amplifier, and a receiving station.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lens positioning slot isangled to receive a magnifying lens and secure said lens in a positionsubstantially parallel to a digital device positioned within saidreceiving station.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said passiveaudio amplifier is formed as a substantially spherical recess withinsaid base.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiving stationand said lens positioning slot are offset from said base at asubstantially similar angle.
 5. An apparatus, comprising: a base; a lenspositioning slot within the top surface of said base, a passive audioamplifier, and a receiving station.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, whereinsaid lens positioning slot is angled to receive a magnifying lens andsecure said lens in a position substantially parallel to a digitaldevice positioned within said receiving station.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein said passive audio amplifier is formed as asubstantially spherical recess within said base.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein said receiving station and said lens positioning slotare offset from said base at a substantially similar angle.
 9. Anapparatus, comprising: a base; a lens positioning slot within the topsurface of said base, a passive audio amplifier, a sound hood, a soundchannel, and a receiving station.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, whereinsaid receiving station couples with said sound channel, and wherein aspeaker of a digital device positioned in a landscape orientation emitssound waves that are directed by said sound hood through said soundchannel and into said passive audio amplifier.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein said passive audio amplifier is formed as asubstantially spherical recess within said base.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein said receiving station and said lens positioning slotare offset from said base at a substantially similar angle.
 13. Anapparatus, comprising: a slot for receiving a digital device, thedigital device having a video screen and an audio output; a magnifyinglens positioned relative to the video screen for magnifying the videoscreen; and a passive amplifier for amplifying sound from the audiooutput.